Harrietville via Omeo – Sunday 7^th March, 2004

Day 2 started out fine but cool with most of us up early for our 8am breakfast where the hardest decision was either cooked or continental! After this leisurely affair it was time to get serious with Paul opting for the Tawonga Gap, Ovens, Happy Valley and Myrtleford loop. Julianne decided that she would take the more direct Bright, Porepunkah route and Bronwyn would fill-in as rear rider. Ben and Cliff where low on fuel following their previous evening run to Mt. Beauty and headed to Bright for petrol. Coincidently while at the service station, Ben met up with Tom Saville, Andi Sirninger and some of their friends - what a small world!

Once onto Tawonga Gap the pace moved up a notch or two with poor Stuart suddenly being swamped. Tawonga South came and went, then more of the same on the Happy Valley road: "sensational."

A welcome break at Myrtleford was marred by the local Mr Plod zealously enforcing the 50kph speed limit. Fortunately the only two wheeler caught was an unsuspecting Harley riding doing 55!

After some drinks and the obliquity 'happy snaps' we continued onto Moyhu and Milawa where a suspect parked car turned out to be a "safety" camera. At this point Julianne informed me of two corner markers still back down the road! They had waved her on apparently unaware she had resumed being rear rider at Myrtleford! We continued on to Whitfield where eventually Ben and Trevor soon appeared.

After a short regroup it was onto Mansfield for fuel and lunch. In all the excitement Stu left his backpack behind but thanks to Ben the bag was also soon on its way.

"What a ride!” The Whitfield, Tolmie, Mansfield road was just sensational and fortunately, being second in-line, it couldn’t have been better as following Paul,or trying to stay with him, was just a hoot!

Once into Mansfield it was first fuel, then lunch. At this point Ben disappeared! Apparently not seeing us after refueling he continued onto Yarck and then home.

After a leisurely break it was decided that as half the group were eastern suburb residents, we would break-up at Yarck, and the two groups go their separate ways.

The eastern suburbs mob consisted of Dave, Bron, Pete, Kate and Ian who traveled through the back of Alexandra to Narbethong and then the newly resurfaced Black Spur to Healesville. With the MV now run-in, Dave showed what a force this 'little' Italian bike will be!

Into Healesville and time for a 'proper' coffee, where the consensus of the group was that this type of weekend away should be held more often.

We continued on to Woori Yallock, Cockatoo and then home without incident. Apparently the other group had some excitement near Junction Hill on the Yea-Whittlesea road where Paul & Greg took the better 'safe-than-sorry' approach when a late model Commodore braked hard then appeared to be doing a U-turn! From all accounts, it appears Fireblades are pretty good at tackling dirt tracks more suitable to trailbikes!

What a weekend! One that comprised some of the best roads in the country, great company, great accommodation and even ideal weather. Thanks Paul. We will have to do it again sometime.

Ian Payne (Honda CBR929RR)